1st Time Network Design for doctors office

no installing a server will not solve the problem of sharing a dial up internet connection. you need to run the ICS wizard on the comuter that connects to the internet. Other options are: a seperate phone line for each computer, a high speed cable or DSL connection from an ISP provider utilizing a NAT enbabled router with a built in multiport LAN switch. Other posters may have other options they can suggest.

A server is a little overkill for that few pcs, but you will need a pc that acts "as a server".

As the other poster has suggested, if they are sharing one connection then make that ADSL and get the remote sites to VPN in - dial up on a single line would prevent outbound connections.

For the money, I would buy a Server license and then your could use RRAS over an ADSL connection which will give you all you need.

For the local connections, if they haven't already, get them interconnected via a hub or switch.

Hope this helps somewhat?

They plan to add several pc's to the network.

Everyone keeps commenting on their connections to the internet well thats not where the problem is. The problem is the user on the office pc is told he must loggof because another user is connecting (remotely from home)
What kind of server should i Use and what Server OS should i use. They have xp pro in the office.

well, this is a first for me but my recommendation is that you check out Windows Small Business Server. then set up the vpn server in it and have your remote users connect via vpn.
you really have to do your home work now and grill the users and doc very closely about EXACTLY how they use remote control. are they using pcAnywhere, for example, to get to the Practice software to look up pt history? like that. make them tell you a few times. make them get all clear about everything for you.
get a new box, get micorosft small busines sserver preloaded on it.
if they are using the remote control products built into windows, the sollution is what you seek i think. if they are using a remote control prodcut such as pcanywhere or vnc then you may need to dedicate a box to be the 'remote control server' you need to let us know exactly what happens when users experience the problem you are attemting to solve...

select a pc that serve as semi server ,put two network adapter on it,connect the modem on one of the network adapter and the other one is connect to the hub then share your internet and the rest of the computer just it connect to the hub.

I'm operating on a few assumptions here.

The current computers are setup in a peer-to-peer connection and they are sharing files that are stored on one or all the computers. They are also sharing a printer or two.

The user dialing in from home is also a user that logs into one of the computers at the office.

The remote user simply needs to access files and maybe check email.

So the solution really comes down to what is the office trying to gain by "adding a network". They pretty much already have one. If the only need for a network is to cure the remote user problem, then you don't really need a server addition. It sounds like a username problem. Try having the remote user log in with a different user name than what he/she logs in as on the network. If that's not it, download VNC or buy PcAnywhere. You can remote control the PC with these packages.

Now that being said, a server such as Small Business 2003 from MS, would give you a lot of benefits. You would get centralized file storage and printers, and automated backup of files. (Most small offices that I've worked with either don't backup or do it manually) Plus, SBS gives remote users a ton of options. The easiest would probably be using the RRAS. This way you could dial up to the server and establish a remote access connection. Now you're on the network just like if you were sitting in the office (with obvious speed differences.)
So, I would say get them a server (a Dell SC420 costs less than $1500 with SBS2003). Get them 2 external hard drives (Western Digital) for backups via USB (SBS2003 backup supports USB devices).

So for <$1500 they get a network that they can dial into and get access to files, you can setup Exchange so they have email, and you can remote into the server using RDP to support them.

Hope this helps!

First: you can't have a remove user control a pc and someone use it as well. You will have to have a box for someone to dial into. A pc or server.

Next: What are they currently using. Is it a shared database, shared program or what.

If it is a shared database you can install a NAS box. Iomega has 2 that are reasonably priced. 160 and 250 gig. http://tinyurl.com/9jre7

The NAS provides system backup of selected items on the client machines, as well as a network storage that is accessable fule time.

Your biggest problem is when you said Doctors Office.

YOUARE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPLY WITH HIPAA.

Quote "HIPAA regulations create a new "duty of care" with respect to the protection of the confidentiality of patient health information. Lawsuits can be brought against you and your health care organization in your state courts if privacy or confidentialty violations occur causing damage to patients"

You will have to install a server: On that server will be all patient records and information that is kept computerized. This information must be protected from unlawful access.

Windows Server 2003 and SBS Server 2003 is designed to be compliant with HIPAA.

I would need SBS Server 2003. It has everything you will need.
http://tinyurl.com/w2yr

One of the many sites on the subject.
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

It's a new day.

Yes, a small business server will do them perfect. I would then setup either a vpn solution, or terminal services for them for more security. I would get a router to protect them from the internet, and a firewall. A small sonic wall would do them great. For the price your going to pay, I would just get windows 2003. I've priced the windows 2k vs windows 2003 for 5-10 users and your not going to really save that much money. A dell server is what I would suggest. Good luck and if you need help, holler. Done this before for dr & attorney's offices.